Clicky

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Announced January 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-r, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and K-r (12MP) and the E-M1X (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The E-M1X was revealed 7 years after the K-r which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1X matches up versus the K-r with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Pentax K-r

 E-M1X K-r 
ReleasedJanuary 2019March 2011More modern by 96 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Olympus E-M1X

 K-r E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-r

 E-M1X K-r 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1X provides external dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-r in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1X against the K-r.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and K-r is 54 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1X and K-r.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1X using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus E-M1X will offer extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern E-M1X should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
76
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography highlights
Pentax K-r Street photography highlights
67
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than competitors (997 grams)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (870 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (470 shots)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography features
Pentax K-r Travel photography features
68
better than average battery (870 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competitors (997g)
47
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (470 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography info
Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery (870 CIPA)
has double storage slots
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (470 per charge)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
68
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
more heavy than competitors (997g)
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1X vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Pentax K-r
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XPentax K-r
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1X Pentax K-r
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2019-01-24 2011-03-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic VIII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 997 grams (2.20 lbs) 598 grams (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 870 photographs 470 photographs
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 One
Price at release $2,999 $1,100